BRADFORD (Park Avenue) boss Mark Bower is happy with his decision to make former Bantams stopper George Sykes-Kenworthy his captain this season, but is still stewing over some of the decisions in Monday’s fiery 2-2 derby draw at Guiseley, which saw both sides receive two red cards apiece.
Avenue are unbeaten in their last four in the Northern Premier League Premier Division, with attention now turning to an FA Cup first qualifying round tie at Consett tomorrow.
Sykes-Kenworthy is set to lead the team out again, with Bower saying: “With (former skipper) Luca Havern moving into a more demanding player-coach role with us, we felt we needed to reassess the captaincy.
“There were a few candidates, but George was an ever-present with us last season, and we hope he’ll be so again this term.
“He’s shown great loyalty to us too and though he’s only 23, it’s a young team.
“The side that started in the win over Ilkeston last Saturday, our oldest player was 26 and the average age was 22.
“George has enjoyed the responsibility and hopefully he’ll continue to grow into the role.”
Sykes-Kenworthy will not be able to rely on centre-half Havern’s guidance this weekend at Consett though, with Bower blasting: “Luca’s out of the FA Cup game with a gash to his head.
“That came from a shocking elbow on him against Guiseley right under the nose of the referee that went unpunished.
“From a neutral point of view, it was an exciting afternoon, with good goals for both sides.
“And in fairness, the first three red cards were warranted, but we felt our second one for Harrison Hopper was a bit of a joke.
“He’s trying to get the ball and their lad has exaggerated the contact and thrown himself into the advertising hoarding.
“Harrison’s 5’10”, 10 stone dripping wet, so you can’t tell me he’s knocking their big centre half off the pitch like that.
“When you see what else got let go, it’s hard to take that Harrison got a straight red card and is suspended for three games.
“We’re looking to appeal, and hopefully the authorities will see sense in it when they see some of the other stuff that went unpunished.
“Regardless, his and Lucas Odunston’s suspensions don’t kick in until Monday, so both will be available for the FA Cup game, and we hope to have Mitch Lund back from his tight hamstring too.”
Will Longbottom is set to be key for Avenue going forward too, having netted four in his last four games.
Bower said: “Will’s scored goals, but he’s also been getting into good areas, and he’s probably disappointed not to have got a couple more.
“He’s got the art of being in the right place at the right time, and the lads have been putting him through.
“He’s proved a good outlet, not just with his goals, because he uses his pace to get in behind and stretch opposing teams.
“He’s had a good start to the season and I hope that continues.”
He will fancy himself at Consett tomorrow, who are in the league below Avenue.
But they are gunning for promotion, so Bower knows his side face a tough test in a competition that has not been kind to them or him in the past.
He said: “You’re always eyeing a run in the FA Cup, as it’s massive for clubs at our level.
“If you get through a couple of rounds, you’re in the hat with professional clubs, so the prize is there.
“I’ve not had much luck in the competition myself, as myself and my teams always seem to be away from home, and we saved our worst performance of last year for the FA Cup defeat to Ashington.
“I hope it comes together in the cup this year, all of our luck, as the fans deserve it, and it would give us new places to go.
“But we respect Consett, they’re a strong side who’ll make the game tough.”
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